Beta launch · WORLD OF WARCRAFT: FOREVER
Beta launch · WORLD OF WARCRAFT: FOREVERWoW Forever beta starts now: access, download and content
The WoW Forever beta is being unlocked after the September 17 live Q&A. Here is how to verify access, install the client and prepare for the test.
The launch window is under way
Blizzard announced that the World of Warcraft: Forever beta would unlock directly after the September 17 Forever live Q&A. The Q&A began at 10:30 a.m. PDT, and access is being rolled out through Battle.net after the broadcast. If the beta does not appear on the first check, fully restarting the Battle.net app and allowing time for account entitlements to update are sensible first steps. A visible beta installation in the launcher is the reliable confirmation for an individual account.
How to get guaranteed beta access
Blizzard lists guaranteed access with the Skyborne Epic Pack and the limited-time Warcraft Forever Collection. The lower-priced Skyborne Heroic Pack does not include beta access in the published edition comparison. Blizzard has not linked a free public application or WoW Forever opt-in page for the start of this test. Players who do not want to buy an upgrade should therefore avoid unofficial forms and supposed invitation codes and wait for an explicit Blizzard announcement about any wider invitation programme.
How to install and start the beta
Open the current Battle.net desktop app, select World of Warcraft and check the available game versions above the Play button. Eligible accounts should see World of Warcraft: Forever Beta as a separate option. Select the beta client, choose an installation location and begin the download. If the option is missing despite owning an eligible edition, sign out of Battle.net completely, restart the app and confirm that the purchase was completed on the correct regional Battle.net account. We do not recommend unofficial command-line workarounds or third-party installation files.
What the first phase is testing
The first test phase takes characters to level 30. That puts early zones and quest lines, classes and talents, new race-class combinations, professions, the Legacy system, Camping and shared-world stability in focus. Selectable SD and HD character models, restored Classic animations for HD models and official controller support are also among the announced Forever features. Not every activity planned for the full launch needs to be complete or available during this initial phase.
How long does the beta run?
Blizzard gives a test window from September 17 through October 21, 2026 in Pacific time. Depending on the exact shutdown hour, that can extend into October 22 in Europe. The global release follows on November 4 at 3:00 p.m. PST, which is midnight CET on November 5. Early Name Reservation for owners of an upgrade edition is scheduled for October 27 through November 3.
Beta access and launch access are different
At full launch, Blizzard says WoW Forever is included with an active World of Warcraft subscription or game time. An upgrade pack is not required then. That statement does not automatically apply to the current beta: confirmed immediate access is a benefit of the Epic Pack and Warcraft Forever Collection. Invite-A-Friend codes included with the editions are intended for launch week in November and do not replace beta access.
Expect bugs, queues and changes
A beta is a work in progress. Servers may be busy, features can fail and class values or quests may change at short notice. Blizzard has not published a firm promise that test characters will transfer to the release version, so do not plan around permanent progress. Report bugs through the tools provided in the client. For access or purchase problems, use official Battle.net support.
The short launch checklist
First confirm that the Battle.net account owns the Skyborne Epic Pack or Warcraft Forever Collection. Update and restart the Battle.net app, look for the Forever beta in the WoW game-version selector and allow enough storage space and download time. Use only the official client. If the option remains absent, verify the region and purchase status, then contact Blizzard Support.